Samsung likely to part ways with Android, new Galaxy Gear Smartwatch may feature Tizen OS

New Delhi: It is majorly speculated that the lukewarm response generated by Galaxy smartwatch has forced Samsung to part ways with Google-powered Android operating system. Market reports claim that the next variant of this device will feature Tizen OS.

Reports were surfacing in the tech arena from quite a while now over a Tizen based device by Samsung. As per sources, the company will unveil this device at Mobile World Congress. Though, there is no official word by the company regarding this development.

The company had launched the wearable computing Smartwatch in India last September 2013. Galaxy Gear works with Samsung smartphone and tablets powered by Android 4.3 (Jelly Bean) operating system.

It has a 1.6-inch Super AMOLED touch screen surrounded by stainless steel. It is powered by 800 MHz processor and 512 MB RAM, and has 4 GB internal storage. Along with a speaker and mic, the smartwatch has a 1.9 MP camera.

The smartwatch can be used to make and receive phone calls, read text messages and emails, track workouts and capture photos and videos.

Two Linux software groups, one backed by Samsung and another by Intel, agreed to jointly develop Tizen, a new operating system for smartphones and other devices, by merging their LiMo and Meego platforms in a bid to gain wider industry and consumer support.

The open-source Tizen platform could easily be used for devices like smartphones, tablets, Internet-enabled TVs, netbooks, wearable devices and in-vehicle infotainment systems.